If anyone has not seen this clip of Mikhail Youzhny trying to break his racket with his face please check it out. Amazing! Couldn't he have just broken the racket on the ground? I think he was somehow trying to beat some sense into himself.

So anyway, what types of exercises would you suggest for injury prevention?

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I like to exercise common sense. If the **** hurts then don't play on it. If the **** is sore and achy, recovery time is in the books. If the **** still hurts after a considerable amount of time and rehab, then it's not fixed and you can't "play it into shape."

I am willing to bet that many people getting injured do not participate in a consistent prehabilitation program. Preventing injuries through a sound fitness program is the way to go.

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I agree with you. However......

"If you waste your time a-talkin' to the people who don't listen,
"To the things that you are sayin', who do you think's gonna hear.
"And if you should die explainin' how the things that they complain about,
"Are things they could be changin', who do you think's gonna care?"

“Injury Prevention Training” must be the #1 priority and is absolutely the most impotant tennis success factor. Keep in mind that one should do injury prevention training aka “Prehabilitation” in order to prevent injuries and at the very least help one recover much quicker from an injury. Yes, strengthening ones bones, tendons, and other connective tissue will keep away those nagging injuries."
- http://superfittennis.com

I do a lot of band work towards a modified throwers 10 regime as well as light dumb bell work for shoulders and back. Also try to do some biking and swimming. I try to avoid running and anything high impact.

Doing all the "injury protection" exercise does no good if you fall off your motorcycle at speed, get hit by a car, or age beyond 55.

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Yes, you are correct that injury prevention will not help falling off a motorcycle at high speed or getting hit by car. Perhaps a good helmet and leather protection? Sorry, not an authority on preventing injuries from motorcycle accidents.

I should have been more clear and said the following: "INJURY PREVENTION FOR TENNIS"

I do not agree with your statement about aging beyond 55. I know several 55+ players who have kept themselves very young and in amazing shape through physical training and tennis. I am guessing that you have not seen a 60+ USTA nationals event?

“Injury Prevention Training” must be the #1 priority and is absolutely the most impotant tennis success factor. Keep in mind that one should do injury prevention training aka “Prehabilitation” in order to prevent injuries and at the very least help one recover much quicker from an injury. Yes, strengthening ones bones, tendons, and other connective tissue will keep away those nagging injuries."
- http://superfittennis.com

Charlie,
Thank you so much for your kind words. Obviously, not all injuries on the tennis court are preventable, but too many injuries seem to be occurring. I have personally witnessed many players take part in sound prehabilitation programs. Those players tend to have a much lower rate of tennis related injuries and even if they do get injured their recovery process is significantly sped up. If one wants to be healthy and spend more time playing tennis versus rehabilitating their injuries, then they should place focus on strengthening their tendons, bones, etc. Even doing just 3x a week/20 minute sessions of injury prevention training does wonders!

Last year, I lost to the finalist of NorCal's 65's. He was 67 years old, fit as a 40 year old. He did not play sports until he was 50. Saved his body.
Now look at ex pro tennis and football players. Their bodies are shot. I'm no ex pro football player, but did play 2 years of varsity and one JV, while in Spring, played varsity basketball for 3 years.
At 63, my body is shot, the wheels coming off very quickly.
I know theres a vid of a 63 year old who beat a Div1 player in a tourney. Problem is, he almost died after that, and never to be repeated ever again. Said Div1 player probably should not have gotten drunk the night before, and might take his "cakewalk" matches more seriously.

Doing all the "injury protection" exercise does no good if you fall off your motorcycle at speed, get hit by a car, or age beyond 55.

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Interesting, that you say that. I am 56; I have been working my way into better shape than I have been in for several years, and yet it seems that every time I dare to exert a maximal effort now I injure something. So far the injuries this summer have been minor and recoverable reasonably quickly, but still.